Well I have a new headunit with 2 amp preouts and the metra install harness.

The previous owner had one installed and there are two ground wires that go to the chassis what would I do with these?

The unit powered on but there was no sound. Then I disconected the battery and switched wires around now now power.

And what are the wires I need for everything to work?

 

If you're installing an amp, then the amp needs to be grounded to the chassis..

The head unit is a very straight forward install. Usually just color matching the wires..

 

Nope not installing an amp just using all the original bose stuff. You're right it should be easy lol. Just was caught off guard why those grounds were there by the headunit (near the shifter).

 

Got the sound working but it turned on (for about 30 seconds) then shut off and will not come on now.

Changed the fuse in the headunit and still not coming on.

 

Post pics of the wiring

 

I'll have to take pics tomorrow. Basically red to red (switched power), yellow to yellow (constant), ground on head unit to chassis, BL/wh to same (amp power on). I think that's about it.

 

Would the head unit automatically be fried if I didn't disconeect the negative battery terminal?

 

No offense, but if you really don't know what you're doing, this could be an expensive way to learn. If you connected the wires one way, then switched them around another way, that should be your first clue. There is only one correct way - it's not trial and error. A simple install by a pro won't be that much $, and you'll have a system installed correctly.

 

No you're right. I thought I knew but was wrong.

How can I test the head unit to see if it powers on outside of the car?

 

You can connect the main power wire and ground to a 12V source (like your car battery) and see if it powers up. Check the HU manual to see which wires those are.

 

Okaym so just connect both those to with the car off with the neg terminal disconnected?

 

Somewhere online said to use jumper cables and do just that. Or would that damage the unit?

 

The negative terminal doesn't need to be disconnected just for testing like this. Jumper cables would work, but they'd be very cumbersome. Maybe you can just hold the wires to the battery terminal with one hand, and switch on the HU with the other? Or get someone to assist you, of you need an extra hand.

 

now my gauges don't light up a speedometer and then the gauge with the digital readout but the oil and the voltmeter work perfectly. could this just be a fuse I have to replace?

 

Bump.

I read it could be related to the white control box under the stereo or fuse? Where are the fuses for the gauges both under hood and kick panel

 

The white control box is for the A/C. Check your fuses, in the driver's side kick panel. Perhaps you grounded the circuit for the gauge lights, at least you should hope it's something that simple. Quit while you're behind and pay a shop to install the HU.

 

Yeah I learned a lesson and will do that from now on!

 

Mirror fuse was blown. Would that also be why the radio didn't work?

 

okay got the head unit installed and it powers on, works well.

Only issue is the sound is only louder when on full blast. I already turned the "loudness" feature on the headunit on high and the EQ setting is on "powerful".

I used the Metra kit which I heard was hit or miss but I wanted to use pandora and my ipod. I know the fm transmitter sucks, as does the tape thing.

Any idea how I can get it louder?